Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

✦Key Features

• ₹6,000 crore: 50% World Bank loan + 50% Government of India funding
• Covers 9,000+ gram panchayats in 7 water-stressed states
• Community-level Water Security Plans (WSPs) for each GP
• GPWSP (Gram Panchayat Water Security Plan): demand-side management
• Incentive-based: states get additional funds for reducing groundwater extraction
• CGWB (Central Ground Water Board) for technical support and monitoring
• Duration: December 2019 to March 2025 (extended evaluation phase ongoing)

✓Eligibility Criteria

• The scheme is primarily implemented by States and Union Territories in identified water-stressed blocks.
• Gram Panchayats within the 7 identified states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and UP are eligible.
• Implementing agencies must be government-notified bodies responsible for water management at the state or district level.
• Participating communities must be willing to engage in the preparation and execution of Water Security Plans.
• The scheme focuses on blocks where groundwater exploitation is high and recharge rates are low.

★Benefits

• Systemic outcomes include improved groundwater levels through community-led sustainable water management practices.
• Gram Panchayats receive incentive grants for achieving pre-defined targets in groundwater conservation and management.
• Beneficiaries gain access to technical data and tools for scientific water budgeting and demand-side management.
• The scheme strengthens institutional frameworks by creating Water User Associations and improving data monitoring networks.
• Enhanced community awareness leads to the adoption of efficient irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems.

▶Application Process

• State Nodal Agencies identify water-stressed blocks based on Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) data.
• Gram Panchayats prepare a community-led Water Security Plan (WSP) detailing water budgeting and conservation measures.
• The WSP is reviewed and approved by the District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC).
• Approved plans are uploaded to the Atal Jal portal to trigger the release of incentive funds from the Central Government.
• Implementation progress is monitored through a geo-tagged Management Information System (MIS) by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

₹ Budget Allocation

6000

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 50:50 (Central Government : World Bank)

Historical Context

Launched on December 25, 2019 (birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee) for a 5-year period (2020-2025).

Sub-Schemes

Challenges

• Lack of technical expertise at the Gram Panchayat level to design WSPs
• Resistance from farmers to switch from water-intensive crops (Paddy/Sugarcane)
• Inaccurate or delayed groundwater data at the micro-aquifer level

Reforms & Recommendations

• Mandatory linkage of Atal Jal with crop diversification incentives
• Deployment of 'Bhujal Jankaars' (community workers) in every village for data collection
• Real-time satellite monitoring of groundwater levels integrated with the portal

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Focus on 7 states: Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, UP
• Bottom-up approach via Gram Panchayats
• Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) for funding
• Creation of Water User Associations (WUAs)

Convergence Schemes

• MGNREGS
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
• Jal Jeevan Mission

Sector Tags